News

CON EDISON INTRODUCES INTERNET BILL PAYMENT OPTION

Con Edison customers with access to the Internet can
now pay their monthly electric and gas bills with the click
of a mouse. Unlike electronic check-free banking, there is
no computer banking service to join and no fee to pay. The
user only needs a standard checking account, or any other
account with check-writing privileges.

"The Internet bill payment option will allow our
customers to access their Con Edison account information and
make payments around-the-clock. It is one way we're trying
to make the lives of busy New Yorkers easier," said John T.
Dillon, Con Edison's assistant vice president of central
customer operations.

All customers need is Internet access, their account
and bank identification numbers -- which are printed on
checks and deposit slips -- a check number and their Con
Edison account number.

To take advantage of the Internet bill payment option,
customers gain access to the Con Edison worldwide web site
at http://www.coned.com and click on the "Customer Service
On-Line" button on the home page. A welcome page then
appears with a button to enter the service, and is followed
by a page prompting customers to enter their Con Edison account
number. When the "Make a Payment" option is selected from
the menu, a new page appears showing the customers' account
balance and a "Pay-by-Internet" option. Users then fill out
an electronic check and the next screen reminds them to
enter the amount paid and check number in their checking
account ledger. All information entered is encrypted to
maintain security and confidentiality.

Customers can send Con Edison e-mail and have direct
access to their billing and payment history. They can also
enter meter readings and close their accounts.

Con Edison is one of the first utilities in the United
States to offer Internet bill payments. The service is now
available to all three million of the company's customers.
Future enhancements planned include user options to open a
new account and enroll in various types of customer service
programs.

New Secure Business Internet Service
Fifty large electric and gas customers are taking
advantage of a new password-protected Internet site called
"Corporate Customer Information" at http://www.coned.com/cag.

This secure page offers summaries of multiple accounts
along with individual account information. Users can view
all their accounts together, a feature especially valuable
to companies such as real estate management firms, which may
have hundreds of accounts in multiple buildings. Large customers
with 20 or more accounts and more than 180 kilowatts of peak
usage can join the service by calling Irene McGee at
(212) 338-4639 during business hours.

Con Edison is one of the nation's largest investor-
owned utilities, with nearly $7 billion in annual revenues
and $14 billion in assets. The company provides electric,
gas and steam service to three million customers in New York
City and Westchester County, New York.